Reading Air Cadets

******* Recruiting new cadets - our next intake night is Monday 8th September ******* Flying & gliding coming up - see the notice board ******* Bowling evening changed - now Wed 2nd July ******* For T-Shirt order form see Parade Ground (deadline extended to Mon 14th July) *******

The Squadron

History

How to join

Adult Recruitment

Civilian Committee

Cadet Views

Squadron News

Training Programme

Parade Ground

Activities

Training

Flying & Gliding

Marksmanship

Adventure Training

Sports

ATC Links

 

 

 

Squadron News

August 2007

Camp, Chinooks & More!

Three cadets (plus the CO) attended summer camp at MOD St Athan.  Cdt's Williams, Newport & Smyth all had great fun, with Smyth winning best cadet!  It was a busy week of Chinook & Gazelle flying, watching bomb practices from Hawks, Tornados & F15's plus normal camp activities such as military visits; a night exercise; shooting; sport; competitions - not to mention the famous last night Sods Opera! 

July 2007

RIAT!

A team of cadets went to the annual Royal International Air Tattoo this year.  They worked hard during the week, but also had great fun!

June 2007

Wet Wing Challenge

Cdt Williams, Cpl Howell, Cdt Smyth, Cdt Mundy, Cdt Groves & Cdt Woolnough braved the wet wilds of Bramley for the annual Wing Challenge.  This was the first Wing Challenge for many of the team and they did really well.  The Co Flt Lt Andrews and I/F Sgt Clarke both assisted with the running of the event (so managed to avoid some of the rain!)

 

 

 

 

 

Thames Valley Athletics

F/Sgt Clarke, Cpl Thompson and Cdt Williams made up part of the 36 strong team representing Thames Valley at the inter-Wing athletics competition held on the 3rd June at Tidworth.  All three did well, with Cpl Thompson coming away with a silver medal and selected as a reserve for the South West region team at the national competition.

 

 

 

 

May 2007

Fun (and blisters) at the Spitfire Walk

6 cadets plus staff spent the bank holiday weekend walking and camping in Folkestone on the annual Spitfire Walk.  A fun (and wet) weekend was had by all!

Medals galore at Wing Athletics

Photos to come of our fantastic athletics team!  12 cadets took part in the annual Wing athletics competition, and we came away with a number of medals.  The Squadron came 5th out of 27 overall, with the boys team coming 3rd.  However our under 15 boys won their class and came away with a trophy!  Congratulations to Cadets Keep, Newport, Stevens and Williams on this fantastic win.

April 2007

The inaugural "Squadron of Rock" ...

Everyone brought down musical instruments - even though not everyone could play them...there was Nicker & CI Smith on the keyboards; Smyth, Cpl Thompson, Groves & WO Anderson on the guitars, Newport on the saxophone...plus numerous other instruments from bongos, maracas and harmonicas to homemade drums and didgeridoo like tubes!  

Cdt Mann recorded the final piece of "modern musical art" on his phone.  

 

January - March 2007

Weapons Handling training and tests, exams (excellent results!), and a muddy night exercise were just a few of our activities...

December 2006

Broomballing - fun on ice!

 

We finished the year with a trip Broomballing - a fun game on ice.  The cadets (and staff) had a great evening and plan to return again soon!

 

 

 

 

 

Bowling at Brize

 

Two teams from Reading took part in the annual Thames Valley Wing ten pin bowling competition held at RAF Brize Norton.  The cadets had a fun day, not only taking part in the competition, but also meeting up with cadets from other squadrons plus playing pool & air hockey.

 

 

 

Christmas family night & Cadets Christmas party

It was great to see so many people come to our annual Christmas celebration on the 13th December.  Lots of certificates were presented along with three cadets being enrolled.  In addition three cadets were promoted - Cpl Howell, Cpl Thompson & Sgt Tooth.  Also congratulations to our Best Cadet of the year which went to Cpl Howell.  We sang carols, ate mince pies and had a raffle - one of the prizes being a signed football from Reading FC!  We also said goodbye to our Sqn. Padre Lt. Col. Len Harris Ret'd who leaves us after more than ten years.

On the 18th December the cadets had their Christmas party - music, games, food....and a bit of a giggle!

 

November 2006

We will remember them

 

The Squadron attended the annual Remembrance Parade at Brock Barracks in memory of all the people who have died in war since WWI.

 

 

 

 

 

Tactical Leadership

A number of Reading cadets joined other cadets from Thames Valley on a Tactical Leadership Course at Bramley.  It was based around leadership in the field, and the cadets all worked very hard in the cold conditions.

 

 

 

 

October 2006

 

Enrolments & promotions

Congratulations to the seven cadets enrolled at the end of October, along with the promotions of F/Sgt Smith and Sgt Lewis.

 

Wonderful Wales (wet & windy!)

Four cadets (along with the CO) from Reading spent an adventurous week in north Wales with other members of Thames Valley Wing.  They took part in hill walking; sea canoeing; leadership exercises; abseiling; a climbing wall; camping and swimming.  The fantastic week in Llanbedr ended with a party.  The theme for the wet & windy week was a Hawaiian beach party - complete with fancy dress, decorations and Hawaiian food from our fantastic chef !

 

Cdt Howell, Cdt Uzzell, Cdt Mundy & Cpl Lewis (along with Tango Man) on the overnight camp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hawaiian beach party!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Parade !

Fourteen cadets from the squadron took part in a parade through Oxford city centre to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the ATC and the 25th anniversary of Thames Valley Wing. Over 250 cadets from Oxfordshire and Berkshire took part in the parade on Sunday 8th October.

 

 

 

 

 

September 2006

Sporting Reading!

 

Cadets from all over Thames Valley Wing attended the sports trials for netball, hockey, rugby and football in September to try and gain a place on the Wing team.  Reading Sqn. kept up the sporting tradition by getting cadets selected for the netball, football & rugby teams - well done, and good luck!

 

 

 

 

 

Stars all round!

 

During a series of canoeing throughout September, many of the cadets successfully passed their one star and two star qualifications.  A big thanks to Woodley Activity Group for the use of the equipment, and to Vicky & Ian for once again running the show.

 

 

 

 

 

August 2006

What a splash!

In preparation for some canoeing, we went to a local Swimming Pool, where the cadets successfully passed their swimming proficiency.

 

 

 

 

Sennybridge camp

 

Another fun time was had by all attending the week long camp in Sennybridge, South Wales.  The cadets enjoyed a military week of exercises and activities in the lovely August sunshine, along with other cadets from around the country.

 

 

 

 

 

July 2006

Summer camp

 

 

A group of Reading cadets joined others from around the Wing at summer camp, this year held at RAF Henlow.  They had a fantastic time, and we were very pleased to have two award winners on the camp - Sgt Nathan Smith won Best NCO, and Cdt Sam Howell won Best Cadet.  Well done!

 

 

 

 

On Exercise!

 

The cadets enjoyed a fun (and very warm) weekend exercise near Arborfield.  They learnt and put into practice fieldcraft techniques, completed a night exercise and camped overnight. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 2006

 

Wing Challenge ........

 

 

 

A team of cadets represented the squadron in the annual Wing Challenge - a competition against other squadrons covering a series of events including leadership/team work, fitness, navigation, fieldcraft  and a night exercise.

 

Well done to Cdt Mundy, Cdt Howell, Sgt Smith, Cdt Newport and Cdt Mugyemi.

 

 

 

May 2006

 

Athletics competition ........

 

 

 

The squadron had a great time at the annual athletics competition in Abingdon, coming away with a fantastic seven silver medals.  

Well done to Cdt Thompson, Cdt Moore, Sgt Smith, Cdt Uzzell, Cdt Howell, Cdt Stevens and Cdt Douglas.

 

 

 

 

January 2006

 

Tactical Leadership Camp ........

 

Cadets and staff enjoyed a fun weekend of adventure training and field craft at one of our TLC camps.  Members of the advance course proudly show of their model they created of the area (notice lots of hats due to the chilly weather!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 2005 - April 2006

 

Squadron refurbishment ........

The squadron finally managed to get the green light on the refurbishment of our headquarters.  The cadets, staff and committee were all very proud of the work and after a bit of tidying and arranging new furniture, we were able to show it off to parents during our enrolments and award ceremony at the start of June.

 

 

September 2005

 

Inter Services Cadet Competition ........

For the third year running the squadron provided cadets to take part in the annual competition against the ACF and SCC. Although the ATC did not win the overall competition they paddled to victory in the raft building phase of the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading and Wokingham Show ........

 

Cadets and staff attending the Reading and Wokingham show held at the show ground next to the Swallowfield bypass.

Along with a recruitment stand the squadron had a marksmanship gallery and a competition to find the "downed pilot".

The cadets also took part in an arena display that involved an obstacle course - which was very popular! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 2005

Canoeing goes with a splash!

 

 

Cadets from the squadron spent three weeks during August learning the basics of canoeing at The Warren, Caversham.  Everyone had a great time (including the staff!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 2005

Reading team win Wing Challenge ........

 

Six cadets from the squadron attended the Wing Challenge over the weekend of the 9th/10th July and came away winners of the competition.

The competition was held over two days and comprised of a series of events including leadership/team work, fitness, navigation, fieldcraft  and a night exercise. 

 

Despite the heat during the weekend the team pulled out all the stops and achieved 2nd place on Saturday, 1st place on Sunday and won the overall competition.

Well done to Sgt Shuter, Sgt Wyatt, Cpl Lewis, Cdt Greetham, Cpl Hutchinson & Sgt Kew!

 

Click here to see more photos taken during the weekend

 

 

 

September 2004

Cadets win challenge .........

 

Cadets from Reading squadron and 2403 (Burghfield) DF attended the annual Berkshire Inter Services Cadet Challenge held at the Cadet Training Centre, Frimley Park.

The winning team (pictured left) included:

Sgt(f) Leanna Clarke, Sgt Noel Kew & Cdt Richard Thompson

 

 

 

 

 

The Country Show...........

Cadets from the Squadron once again provided sterling support for the Reading Rotary Club in this years Reading Country Show. Helping with the setup of the arenas and show stands and marshalling the classic cars throughout the day.

 

August 2004

 

Cadets go wild in Wales ...........

During the summer school holidays, members of Reading Air Cadets joined others from across the country in nine days of military exercises held at Sennybridge Army Training Area, Brecon. This was supported by Woodley Activity Group and included activities such as archery; obstacle courses; sports; abseiling and much more.

 

 

 

Award winning NCO .........

Cadet Sergeant Becca Archer has just completed her Basic Expedition Leaders Award.

Becca is qualified to teach and take out other young people in low land areas. 

Within her time in the Air Training Corps Becca has visited RAF stations in the UK and has this year completed a camp in Cyprus where she was awarded best female cadet (see picture).

 

In addition to ATC exams, Becca's other qualifications and awards include, First Aid at work and Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, plus she has just completed over 300 hours with the Millennium Volunteers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

©381 (Reading) Sqn ATC, 2008    V2007.002